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Friday, March 16, 2012

Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Scott Magoon

Chopsticks
are best friends. They've been that way forever. But one day one
chopstick gets broken and must spend some time away from the other.
While one chopstick explores new and different ways to be useful, the
other chopstick must remain immobile while he's on the mend. Will Chopsticks continue to be friends after one has explored a new and different world, or will he leave his best friend behind?

In this adorable companion to the book Spoon, Amy Krouse Rosenthal's lovely story explores the dynamics of friendship and what happens when one friend goes away and the other must stay put. In addition, she also crafts her writing to allow teachers and students to discuss literary devices such as personification and play-on words. I particularly love that the kitchen whisk was the one who
"whisked away" chopstick to get him medical attention - or that "no one stirred, not even spoon" while they were waiting to see if chopstick would be OK.

In addition to Rosenthal's clever writing, Scott Magoon's smile-inducing illustrations just might get you talking and making friends with your own kitchen utensils. I know I will never look at my kitchen whisk the same way again. Even though I've always been a fan of whisks, I have much greater respect for them now. :)

Don't
think that because this is a picture book it is only for little kids.
Because of Rosenthal's deft use of personification and puns, this
would be a great book to read to older kids as well. I will definitely be reading it to my 6th graders in the near future.